Positive changes taking place at the Sheridan Center

Saturday

Dec 29, 2012 at 6:00 AM

The doors of the Sheridan Center closed Thursday evening and when they reopen, there will be a lot of changes.

Don Steele

The doors of the Sheridan Center closed Thursday evening and when they reopen, there will be a lot of changes.The Dodge City Family YMCA begins operations in the facility Jan. 2 and there will be new equipment and a few remodeled rooms.A gift from Western Plains Medical Complex, which put the Y's fundraising campaign over the top this month, enabled the purchase of $75,000 in new cardio equipment for the fitness center.But that's just the beginning of the changes.A new child watch room is being created to offer child care services for those who want to stop by for a workout with youngsters in tow. And the offices are being rearranged and brought up to date.As part of the Y's agreement with the city, municipal employees who were working at Sheridan have been retained and will essentially remain as employees of the city. When those employees eventually move on, their replacements will be employed by the YMCA.This enables those employees to retain city retirement plans and other benefits.And those who were patrons of Sheridan should see improvements to the facility but otherwise shouldn't notice any difference.Fees for previous members will remain the same, at least for the three-year period of the current agreement between the city and the YMCA.

JoinThe YMCA membership fees range from $15 per month or $140 annually for youth 17 and under to $31 per month or $350 annually for adults 25 to 59.A senior membership runs $23 per month or $231 annually.Family memberships are available for $47 per month or $500 annually.There are special rates for corporate memberships, military memberships and Christian community leader memberships.There is a joining fee of $50, $20 for youth ages 12 to 17.To get the ball rolling, the YMCA is having a membership drive. On Jan. 8 and Jan. 22 you can join with no joining fee.In addition, the Y will hold an open house on Jan. 15. The public is invited to tour the complex and see what they have to offer.Member benefits include free childwatch, free Wi-Fi, free day lockers, free equipment checkout, free guest passes, free small towel service and free body assessment and analysis. Membership requires no contracts, just 30-day notice.For more information about these events and the YMCA, call Debbie Randle, business director, at (620) 225-8157.